Deutschlandstipendium

Deutschlandstipendium - The University of Applied Sciences Bremen takes part in the program

The Deutschlandstipendium will support students and first-year students with 300 euros per month if their careers allow to expect most excellent study and professional achievements. One half of the money comes from the federal government, the other half from private sponsors: up to 10,000 students are likely to benefit from the new alliance of civil societal commitment and state support provided by the federal government institutions in the first year. In the medium term, up to eight percent of all students (approx. 160,000 people) studying at a German university are supposed to benefit from the Deutschlandstipendium, whereby the number of people sponsored is expected to increase continuously. Scholarship holders receive the income-independent support of 300 euros (in addition to BAföG) at least for the duration of two semesters and at maximum until the end of the nominal course length, so that they can concentrate on their university education.

The number of Deutschlandstipendium to be granted each year depends on the number of students studying at the university and an annual maximum quota which is determined by the German Federal Government. Within a few years, the support of eight percent of the students is supposed to be gradually achieved this way.

Sponsors

Private sponsors are privileged to communicate their interest to any institution of higher education of their choice that offers the Deutschlandstipendium. They make it possible that a scholarship holder will be sponsored with 150 euros per month for a duration of at least one year (1,800 euros/year). A scholarship can be composed of funds which originate from several sponsors. Sponsors may also provide additional support opportunities, for example, practical training courses, further education or information meetings. The funds provided by the sponsors can be deducted from their respective income pursuant to Article 10b Paragraph 1 of the Internal Revenue Code as expenditures for tax-privileged purposes.

As a rule, sponsors have a right of say in how the funds are to be used. For example, they can apply their support deliberately to a specific branch of study or a study course of their preference. Two-thirds of all scholarships which the university approves of within one year may be bound to such a purpose. The remaining scholarships must be granted without a binding purpose. The sponsors are also entitled to take part as consultants in the selection procedure. However, universities are responsible for the actual selection of the scholarship candidates.

The German Federal Government takes over the entire public contingent of scholarship funding, spending 150 euros per month and each scholarship granted, so that an overall support of 300 euros per month will ultimately result for each scholarship holder. In addition, the German Federal Government renders support to the universities for fund raising in the form of a fixed rate payment for administrative expenses. The latter is paid at the beginning of each budget year subsequent to the determination of the amount each university is entitled to. This amount is determined by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) depending on the maximum quota for support and the total number of students of the previous year (according to data published by the Federal Statistical Office).

Selection

Scholarships are granted according to aptitude and achievement. However, in addition, a special social commitment or successful coping with biographical impediments also count as criteria to be considered in the selection procedure.

The selection procedures are determined and publicized in detail by the universities. The participating universities will publicly invite applications for scholarships and inform about the number and potential subject-specific scholarship allocations , and the necessary certificates and documents to be submitted.

The Scholarship Program Act (StipG) as well as the planned Scholarship Program Ordinance (StipV) stipulate the criteria which the universities may then put into practice .

The implementation of the Deutschlandstipendium program is in principle in the hands of the university. This includes particularly the solicitation and guidance of sponsors, selection of scholarship candidates, and payment of the scholarship funds. The universities receive the financial contributions mentioned above from the federal government for their efforts associated with the raising of private capital funds.